As the only adopted child of a career Marine and his Puerto Rican-born wife, Bobbie’s life became a reflection of diversity and adaptation to change. She spent her childhood on or near military bases, which meant exposure to different cultures and lifestyles, resulting in a sensitivity to and a love of the rich histories of many ethnic and societal groups. She learned at an early age that “It is what it is,” a phrase central to her current work in making the best of the life circumstances in which her clients find themselves. Born in North Carolina, her family travels took her to California and Virginia several times as her father completed three tours of duty in the Viet Nam War. Her father’s service and involvement in a military family culture equipped her to work with those groups as well. She has a deep love for military families and has trained in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder issues to further her work in many areas of recovery.
Her initial training was in veterinary technology due to her passion for animals, especially the canine friends that made up an important part of her nuclear family and that were her constant companions through the many moves. Life changed paths for Bobbie, opening doors in media, and she spent almost 20 years as a radio personality in East Texas all the while honing her skills as a media planner and creative director for her own marketing and public relations firm in Tyler, Texas.
God then had even more plans, and Bobbie’s volunteer work with youth and families at her local church brought about the decision to go through yet another open door and begin academic pursuit of a degree in counseling to allow following this passion as a vocation. She is a graduate of Tyler Junior College with an Associate of Arts in Behavioral Sciences; a Bachelor of Arts graduate of the University of Texas at Tyler with a major in Psychology; and she holds a Master of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Counseling, also from UT Tyler. She completed her post-graduate internship at the East Texas Crisis Center, working extensively with persons who had been victims of domestic / relationship violence, sexual abuse and assault, and violent crimes. In 2020, she completed her PhD in Advanced Studies in Human Behavior through Capella University. Bobbie is a state-recognized Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and also holds the designation of LPC Supervisor, which entails the supervision of new Master’s program graduates as they work their own internships to prepare for their careers. After 13 years in group practice at Tyler Counseling and Assessment Center, which also encompassed five years as a full-time staff member of her local church spent establishing and building a church-based counseling center, she decided to go into solo practice at the beginning of 2013, and the 4:13 Center for Change was born.
Bobbie is an avid spin cyclist, obtaining her instructor certification in the sport at the Cooper Institute in Arlington, Texas. Health topics are high on her radar, especially after she improved her own life through substantial weight loss and lifestyle changes. But she credits all of her life success to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who she says she met face-to-face at Youth camp when she was eleven years old. Her faith guides her work, and Bobbie is a Board Certified Professional Christian Counselor (BCPCC) through the International Association of Christian Counselors. While her faith is her guiding force, her clients enjoy the privilege of dealing with issues either from a faith-based or secular foundation. She works with individuals starting at age 12, couples, and families, and is a featured speaker and presenter for numerous groups and organizations.
Client Intake Form
Please print and fill out this form for our first visit.
One of my main goals is to help people rediscover their personal power that comes through their faith and attachment to God.”